If you’ve experienced intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in a previous pregnancy, you know the emotional and physical toll it can take. Facing the possibility of future pregnancy complications can feel overwhelming.
But you’re not out of options. Surrogacy offers a safe path to expanding your family.
If you’re seeking a safer way to grow your family, we’re here to walk with you every step of the way. Fill out our contact form to learn more about how surrogacy can help you have the family of your dreams.
In this guide, we’ll explore what IUGR means for your health, how it may impact future pregnancies and why surrogacy might be the safest, most empowering choice for your family-building journey.
Will IUGR Happen Again in Future Pregnancies? The Recurrence Risk of IUGR
Having IUGR in a previous pregnancy increases your risk of it happening again. Studies show the recurrence risk of IUGR is over 70% more likely in future pregnancies.
In some cases, complications become even more severe over time.
Facing this reality can be heartbreaking. It’s natural to grieve the idea of carrying a pregnancy yourself. But choosing an alternative path like surrogacy after IUGR is not giving up — it’s choosing a safer, hopeful future for you and your child.
Why Some Parents Consider Surrogacy After IUGR in a Previous Pregnancy
For many parents who have experienced the emotional and physical toll of IUGR in a previous pregnancy, the thought of enduring another high-risk pregnancy can be overwhelming.
The fear of recurrence, compounded by concerns for both maternal and fetal health, often leads families to consider alternative paths to parenthood.
Surrogacy offers a powerful solution. By working with a gestational surrogate, intended parents can maintain a biological connection to their child while significantly reducing the health risks associated with pregnancy.
For parents who have faced the trauma of pregnancy complications, surrogacy after IUGR provides an opportunity to expand their family with greater peace of mind and emotional healing.
The Possible Complications of IUGR in Future Pregnancies
IUGR carries severe risk for mother and child alike.
For mothers, IUGR brings a higher risk of:
- Preeclampsia
- Sepsis
- Preterm birth
- Emergency C-section
For babies, IUGR increases the risk of:
- Stillbirth (up to 46%)
- Hypoxia (lack of oxygen)
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- Neurological delays
- Issues keeping or losing weight
Experiencing IUGR doesn’t just affect one pregnancy — it can shape your future fertility journey.
How Surrogacy Can Help You Grow Your Family Safely
Surrogacy after IUGR allows intended parents to experience the joys of family-building without facing the medical risks that could jeopardize their health or the baby’s well-being.
In a gestational surrogacy arrangement, the surrogate carries an embryo created from the intended parents’ (or donors’) genetic material, ensuring a biological bond without requiring the mother to undergo another high-risk pregnancy.
After living through the anxiety of IUGR in previous pregnancies, surrogacy offers a pathway filled with hope, safety and expert support.
Partnering with an experienced agency ensures that the surrogate undergoes thorough health screenings, and the entire journey is managed with the utmost care, professionalism and compassion.
When Is Surrogacy Recommended?
For women who’ve had IUGR in previous pregnancy, surrogacy can offer a path forward for their child with minimal risk. You might benefit from surrogacy if:
- Experienced IUGR in a previous pregnancy
- Suffered a pregnancy loss linked to IUGR
- Have a medical condition increasing IUGR risk (e.g., lupus, kidney disease)
- Must take medications linked to fetal growth restriction
- Have a history of preeclampsia or other severe pregnancy complications
If you’re planning a pregnancy but are unsure about your risk of IUGR, contact your OB-GYN.
A consultation with a trusted surrogacy agency can help you explore these considerations and determine the best path forward for your family.
A Path Forward with Surrogacy: 5 Steps
With American Surrogacy, your path to parenthood is simple, supported and personalized:
Step 1: Contact a Surrogacy Agency
The first step in your family building journey is quick and easy. Reach out to our specialists for a free consultation. We’ll talk to you about your family goals and answer any questions you may have.
Step 2: Match with a Surrogate
We’ll help you fill out our surrogacy planning questionnaire to get an idea of what you want your journey to look like, including what you’re looking for in a surrogate.
You’ll be able to review and select from a pool of pre-screened surrogates who align with your hopes, values and preferences.
Step 3: Finalize the Legal Agreements
Establish clear, compassionate legal contracts that protect your parental rights and outline expectations. We can help you find a surrogacy attorney near you that specializes in your state’s surrogacy laws.
Step 4: Begin the Embryo Transfer and Pregnancy Journey
Start the IVF process, stay connected with your surrogate and celebrate key pregnancy milestones together.
Step 5: Welcome Your Baby and Complete Finalization
Celebrate the birth of your child, finalize the necessary legal documents, and bring your new baby home.
How American Surrogacy Supports Parents After Pregnancy Challenges
At American Surrogacy, we understand the complex emotions and difficult decisions that come after experiencing pregnancy complications like IUGR.
- Our team is dedicated to providing compassionate, knowledgeable support at every stage of your surrogacy journey.
- We offer quick, personalized surrogate matching to ensure the right fit for your family’s needs.
- Our partnerships with leading fertility specialists, legal experts and counselors ensure that your journey is managed with professionalism and care.
When you choose American Surrogacy, you’re choosing a partner that understands the sensitivity and significance of this next step in your family’s story.
To hear more stories from families like yours, join our Instagram, or explore the fertility stories of people who became parents through surrogacy. To take the next step in your own story, contact us online today.